Meet Me at Johnnies! Exhibition | Carrick Hill | 6 Aug – 31 Oct 2026

Celebrating The Hayward Years at John Martin’s, Meet Me at Johnnies! is an exhibition that revisits the golden age of Adelaide retail and the department store that became synonymous with city life.

For much of the twentieth century, John Martin’s Department Store stood at the centre of Adelaide’s social and commercial life. More than a place to shop, it was where people gathered, met friends, marked special occasions and experienced the excitement of a growing and prosperous city. For many South Australians, a visit to “Johnnies” was a treasured ritual and a shared cultural experience.

This exhibition explores the remarkable connection between the Hayward family and John Martin’s. Across four generations, members of the Hayward family played influential roles in shaping the business, helping guide the store through decades of growth, innovation and changing consumer expectations.

Through the story of the Hayward family and John Martin’s, visitors are invited to reflect on an era when department stores were the beating heart of Australian cities. It was a time of elegant window displays, attentive customer service, Christmas traditions, charge accounts and the excitement of discovering the latest fashions, homewares and innovations under one roof.

Presented at CarrickHill, the former home of Sir Edward “Bill” Hayward and Ursula Hayward, this exhibition celebrates a defining chapter in South Australia’s history. Rich with nostalgia and social history, Meet Me at Johnnies! captures the spirit of a retail institution that helped shape generations of Adelaide memories and left an enduring mark on the city’s identity.

Exhibition and House Museum Entry (Self Guided) Prices:

• Adult $20
• Concession: $18
• Child (0-15 years) FREE

Exhibition admission includes entry to the House Museum & Gallery.

Opening Hours | Wednesday to Sunday, including Public Holidays from 10am – 4.30pm.

Guided Exhibition Tours (starting 12 August 2026) – Join one of the guided tours to gain deeper insight into the stories and objects featured in Meet me at Johnnies.
Approximately 1 hour duration.

Tour times:

• Wednesday – 10.15am
• Friday – 10.15am
• Sunday – 1pm

This exhibition includes items generously loaned by SATC (Christmas Pageant), State Library of South Australia (with permission from David Jones Ltd) and private lenders.

Meet Nipper and Nimble

Step inside the historic Carrick Hill Stables and meet Nipper and Nimble, the much-loved horses who brought joy to generations of South Australian children in the Magic Cave at John Martin’s each Christmas. For session times and tickets, please click here.

Please note: A separate ticket is required to meet Nipper and Nimble. This experience is not included with admission to the Meet Me at the Johnnies exhibition and must be purchased in addition to your exhibition ticket.

DISCOVER MORE AT CARRICK HILL

For more information and all enquiries please visit the Carrick Hill website.

What: Meet Me at Johnnies! Exhibition

When:  6 August – 31 October 2026

Where:  Carrick Hill House Museum |  46 Carrick Hill Drive Springfield 

Who:   All ages

At Play & Go Adelaide we make every effort to provide accurate information to the best of our knowledge at the time of publication. We recommend confirming times, dates and details directly before making any plans as details may be subject to change.

Image Source: Carrick Hill

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